Senior Caitlin Maley was recently recognized as a Regeneron Science Talent Search 2018 Scholar.
According to the Society for Science & the Public, the Regeneron Science Talent Search, shortened as Regeneron STS, is the most prestigious pre-college science competition in the nation.  Previously known as the Intel Science Talent Search, it is also the country’s oldest science and math competition, having started in 1942, for seniors in high school.

“When I found out I was selected, I was sitting in class, and received a text from my friend who is also in the program,” said Maley.  “I couldn’t even believe that it was true, because the competition is so competitive.”

The research-based competition announced only 300 students out of 1,1818 entrants as Scholars this year.  Each scholar receives an award of $2,000 and an additional award of the same amount goes to the individual’s respective high school.  Thus, around $1.2 million in scholar awards are given out by Regeneron.

Last year, six Schreiber seniors were distinguished as Regeneron scholars.  This year, a total of 46 Long Island students, including fourteen North Shore students, were recognized in the 2018 Regeneron Science Talent Search as scholars.  There was a wide range of topics explored in the chosen projects, such as avoiding heat strokes in automobiles and making touch screens that specifically accomodate for those who are visually impaired.

“I wanted to see if college students blamed victims of sexual assault based on the race that their names may have implied,” said Maley.  “I enjoyed doing this research because it’s an interesting topic to learn more about, and it was interesting to see how my results were shaping out to be.”

Maley’s project is titled “The Impact of Race on Victim Blaming in Sexual Assault Cases on College Campuses.  Through her research, which involved identical surveys that differed only with people’s names, Maley found out that individuals tended to assign more fault to those with common Hispanic and African-American names rather than Caucasian ones.

“I also liked reaching out to different mentors, who all taught me different things about completing a research project like this,” said Maley.

Maley is a member of Schreiber’s social science research program.  Despite the fierce competition, she was able to become distinguished as a scholar.

“I am also so happy to have my research recognized, and to have the privilege to make even a small contribution to this very important topic,” said Maley.
On Jan. 23, the Regeneron finalists will be announced.  The 40 finalists will then be invited to Washington, DC in order to go through final judging, show their project to the public, get the chance to meet with notable scientists, and compete for the top awards for $1.8 million in awards.